Groanings of Hope
Is your only hope to be free from all this turmoil and pain and hurt? Is your only hope to finally have freedom from what binds you?
Is it?
“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” - Romans 8:22 NLT
It’s true, “…creation was subjected to futility, …in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” - Romans 8:20-21 ESV
For that groaning of all creation, that hope to be set free, it is the hope of all people. And it’s purpose is to result in our freedom by showing us Christ. Yes, it’s true! That futility of turmoil and pain and hurt is to lead you to freedom in Christ. For Christ is the glory of the children of God.
Yes, when your pain is the strongest, your hope is the highest, and when your chains tighten the most, your hope sails the furthest. When you’ve fallen and failed, again and again, over and over, and you feel hopeless the most, then your hope for freedom is the greatest. And the highest, the furthest, and the greatest hope is always in Jesus alone!
For when your hope is Christ. When your hope is built on nothing less than Jesus. When your hope is there, then it’s not purely about leaving this world behind and escaping the discomfort of pain and bondage. No! It’s about running to the Comforter to find rest. It’s about entering into Christ to know the peace of the Prince of Peace. It’s about receiving abundant life - Jesus’ Life, and finding joy! Because it’s about obtaining “the freedom of the glory of the children of God”, Christ Jesus Himself. Here on this earth, right here and right now. And for all of eternity!
For Christ Jesus is the only hope that guarantees love and peace and joy and rest - all that is life, all that is Christ Himself!
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“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” - Jude 24&25 ESV
“…and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” - Romans 5:2b ESV